Your chance to be the state champion in your age group at the 7K distance is this Friday evening.

The fourth annual Aspire Harrisburg Area Road Runners Club (HARRC) after Dark 7K takes off from Kunkle Plaza, the corner of State and Front Streets at 7 p.m. on Friday.

For the first time, this race was designated the 7K state championship by the Road Runners Club of America (RCCA). HARRC applied to RRCA to host the championship this year, and were accepted.

"This race is unique being an evening race along the picturesque Susquehanna River," said HARRC president Brad Colwell. "The food afterward at the YMCA, the high quality awards and t-shirts makes this a race for runners," he said.

Runners will run on the path along the river, and finish north of the Harvey Taylor Bridge.

The 7K distance is equal to about 4.35 miles, a slightly unusual distance for a race. Colwell said they originally picked this distance to "do something different."

While the race is not specifically for a charity, some of the profits are given to the YMCA and the Special Olympics.

Colwell said HARRC hopes for more than 200 runners, and at press time, there were more than 100 runners registered.

Overall winners and age group winners will receive a trophy that credits them as the state champion.

"It takes a lot of time to organize a race," said Colwell, who said it takes about 200 hours of his time to coordinate. "There are many details. We have about 50 great volunteers who are enthusiastic about HARRC. The best part is that the runners have raved about the race which makes it worthwhile," he said.

Colwell noted that the post-race pizza has been "very popular."

Carlisle's Tim Rarick agrees. "I'm looking forward to the HARRC after Dark 7K. This is my third year in a row and it is a great way to kick off the fall racing season," he said. "I'd be remiss if I didn't mention they serve pizza after the run. No matter how the race goes, it ends well."

Packet pickup will be at the YMCA on Friday from 4 to 6:45 p.m. The cost for the race is $35. To register, visit harrc.org.